In addition to expanding, the city's hotel scene is also undergoing a bit of an exodus, with new hotels now popping up in the outer boroughs (Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and, yes, even Staten Island).

If you ask us, it's all good news. New York may seem jam-packed full of hotels, but in reality it could always use a few more. In 2012 alone, a record 52 million people visited the city. And during busy holidays (or, for that matter, hurricanes), rates become so astronomical, you're better off staying with a friend, hitting up Airbnb, or just absconding to New Jersey.

For all of these reasons, we're keeping a close eye on this city going into 2013, and we advise you to do the same. NYC's new crop of hotels—whenever they decide to open—will be sure to dazzle. And we're hoping that the influx will help keep rates down.